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Twalton

Top of a Scrub Jay head

Aperture 63/10 ISO 100 Shutter 10/1600 Focal Length 5500/10

location

Lacey, Washington, US

upload_date

Mar, 2020

Views

217

Likes

Awards

Action Award

Curator's Selection

Spring 21 Award

Legendary Award

Judge Favorite

2020 Choice Award

Superb Composition

+10

Top Choice

Absolute Masterpiece

Outstanding Creativity

Peer Award

Magnificent Capture

Top Ranks

Top 30 rank week 1

Top 30 rank

Top 10 rank

Top 30 rank

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

I took this photo in my backyard. I noticed these colorful birds grabbing the peanuts I had left out for the squirrels. I set some peanuts up on my pergola in hopes of attracting, what I later found out, was a Scrub Jay.

Time

This photo was taken in the late afternoon in the springtime here in the great Pacific Northwest.

Lighting

The natural lighting was perfect. I wanted light directed on the bird itself not behind the bird. I waited for the late afternoon sun to show itself on the pergola where the birds had been landing

Equipment

This photo was taken with a Nikon D610 full frame with a Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens. I mounted the camera on a tripod and had the lens extended to 600mm.

Inspiration

I never had taken many bird photos, but I am always willing to photograph whatever may present itself to me. In this case, it was the wonderful colors of the Scrub Jay. I wanted to get a different perspective of the bird, a head on shot. I went through a number of peanuts to get the pose I was seeking.

Editing

The original image was shot in RAW. I used Topaz to process the image. There isn't a lot of processing that had to be done since the lens itself is a very crisp lens and the camera provided rich colors.

In my camera bag

I use the full frame Nikon D610 and the Nikon D720. My go to lens for the D720 is a Tamron 18-400mm lens. I use a variety of lens's depending on the photo shoot I am attempting to achieve. I enjoy the Nikon 105mm lens for the Nikon D610. I have used that lens both for portrait photos and macro shots.

Feedback

Patients is the key. Do not rush your shots, but take the time to assure you have the right settings and the image you have in mind. Best of advice of all is simply get out with your camera and start shooting. Become familiar with your gear and the expressions that you feel inside of you.

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Twalton

Twalton

Top of a Scrub Jay head

Behind The Lens

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